Galamsey: The Society for the Protection of Generational Rights calls for more robust action

The government is under increasing pressure from the Generational Rights Protection Society to take firm action against unlawful mining, also referred to as galamsey.
Media personality Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah is leading the demonstration, which aims to raise awareness of the government’s handling of the galamsey threat and suggest a more forceful strategy for putting an end to it.

The organisation claims that with little significant government action, illegal mining is still having a devastating impact on communities and the environment.
Mostly wearing red and black, the protesters assembled in Circle’s Obra Spot to begin their march, which will conclude at the Jubilee House.
With signs that read “Blood, Gold, Greed!” and “Stop Galamsey Now!” the demonstrators were clearly determined and full of energy.

One protester told JoyNews that she was frustrated by the absence of drinkable water because of galamsey activities. Since there is no drinkable water where I work, I joined this protest. She said, “Galamsey has to stop.”

Okatakyire Mensah Afrifa, the protest organiser, expressed his frustrations as well. He maintained that the President’s four-month tenure in office should not be used as an excuse for the ongoing destruction brought on by Galamsey, which includes an increase in kidney disease cases and the death toll among Ghanaians.

He drew attention to the fact that President Mahama was able to send a bill to Parliament to create a Gold Board within the same four months of taking office.

“The current President was able to take swift action that benefited himself and his government when he came in,” he continued. Thus, the size of priorities and preferences is crucial.